New grocery store reflects Cornerstone church’s belief that ‘South Dallas deserves beautiful things’

“It’s gorgeous in here!” Thana Simmons says as she walks into Southpoint Community Market. “Oh my gosh — I was taken away when I first walked in.”

Simmons can’t stop smiling. Her friend Shanay Wise hugs her and says, “I’m just excited for it to be open.” 

It’s the first time customers are seeing their neighborhood grocery store in The Crossing Shopping Center at 1631 South Blvd., just down the street from Cornerstone Baptist Church. A soft open last weekend preceded the grand opening this Saturday, July 19 at 10 a.m.

Wise, who owns Catering Does Wisely, points to the check-out counter. “See, people are already purchasing!”

Donald Wesson, the program director of Cornerstone Community Enterprises, is behind the stone white counter. He anxiously greets customers in line. 

It’s a big day for Wesson. He’s been working to create a community market in the Forest District for seven years. It’s part of his vision to build a healthy community.

“A healthy neighborhood needs food access, job creation and transportation,” Wesson says. “We have been working on different cogs on this wheel, but this is a major one.”

There’s fresh fruit in baskets for 50 cents, avocados for a quarter and frozen veggies in the refrigerated sections. Pasta sauce, bread, canned and dry goods, and paper products line the shelves in the 800-square-foot space.

“It shows that our neighborhood is on the mend,” Simmons says. 

She is the executive director of Viola’s House, a home for teenage mothers, located just a few blocks from the market. Southpoint Market’s presence shows “that we can offer quality products at a good price,” Simmons continues. “And the people of this neighborhood understand why it’s important to support a business like this. Because we want the neighborhood to be better.” 

With the help of The Real Estate Council Foundation, Cornerstone Baptist Church has spearheaded development in this community — a laundromat, bike shop and a kitchen that serves free hot meals. Southpoint, the latest addition, offers not just a place to buy food but a place to gather.

An elegant coffee bar sits under a neon sign — FRESH.  

“Our philosophy is that South Dallas deserves beautiful things and nice things,” says Chris Simmons, Cornerstone’s pastor. He’s been a leader in the community for more than 32 years. “What we try to do is listen to the community to see what they need.”